Railway switch



Aug. 13, 1929.

S. C. FIDDYMENT RAILWAY SWITCH Filed March 26, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 1,3, 1929.

slic. FIDDYMENT RAILWAY SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 26, 1928 .UNITED STATES 4'Oli'lF'IC/E.

SAMUEL C. FIDD'YMENT, 0F LOCKPORT, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO PETTLBONE MULLI- `Km COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORIORATION 0F NEW'Y'ORK.

RAILWAY swr'rcn."

Applicationled March 26, 1928. Serial No.v 264,632.

My invention' relates to railway Switches of the so-called' spring return type and comprising point v rails operatively connected with means for throwin the switch; spring means operating, when t e switch points are in a certain set' position, to yieldingly resistthe'shifting of thev peint rails by a train passing through' the switch; and means wherebythe return ofthe switch points to such position, under the actionof the spring means, is suiiioiently retarded to reduce, if not entirely eliminate, slapping'of the switch against the track and also to reduce wear of the switch.l c

In practice these switches are often bodily moved by the switch-throwing mechanisml to condition them reverselyI to the set position above referred to, and while it 1s possible, as such structures have hitherto been provided, toreadily throw the switch vout of set position, it is impossible to quickly throw the switch back to vset position owing tothe high resistance offered by 4the retarding'means provided to ensure the slow return movement of the switch .points when shifted by a train out of set position and against the resistance of the spring means. This is a disadvantage not only from'the standpoint of ldelaying the progress of a train after passing the switch, but also because of possible -danger tothe one throwing the swltch.

My primary object is to provide improvements in switches of the general type above referred to whereby the operator may freely` throw the switch in both directions thereby avoiding the loss of time and possible danger resulting from the operation of this type of switch as'hitherto provided; another object is to provide'a novel, simple'and economical construction for accomplishing the purpose above above stated and 'one which may be quickly positioned for suchI operation and quickly reconditioned to render the return-movement retarding means, operative; andother objects as will be manifest from the following description Referring to the accompanying drawmgsz- 4 lFigure 1 is a plan View of the switchuipped portion of a railway track and in ich my invention is incorporated.. Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the retarding means for the'switch constructed to permit such means to be rendered inactive i-n the manial operation of throwing the switch. Figure 3 is a. view in sectional elevation of the construction shown 1n Fig. 2, the section being taken at the line -3 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 4, is a section taken at the line 4 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 5 'is a section taken at the line 5 on Fig. 4 and viewed inthe direction of thearrow. igure 6 is a plan view, partly sectional, `of the springequipped portion of the switch structure;

and Figure 7, a section taken at the line 7\ nection with which Iv have chosen to disclose .my invention, 10 indicates one of the rails of the main track, the other portion thereof comprising the rail 11 anda point rail 12 of a switch device, the-rail llcontinuing from the point rail 12 in deflected condition, as represented at-13, to form one of the rails of a switch track.

point rail' switch comprises the point rail 12 and a point rail 14 adjacent'the main rail 10. These point rails are connected together by a tie rod4 15 and alsonadjacent the extremities of the points, by a spring head rod 16 c as indicated at 17 to a connecting rod 18 forming ya part of switch-retarding mecha- ,nism represented generally at 19 'and herenected at one end,

necting rod 18 moves with the switch points i in all movements of the latter.

The spring head rod 16 is operatively connected with switch-throwing mechanism which may be of any desirable construction,`

thaty shown being` of the type comprising a vertically J.extending rock shaft 20 pro-'- vided with a crank 21 pivotally connected at 22 to one end of a link 23 pivotally connected at 24 with a reciprocable rod 25. The

spring head rod 16l comprises a cylinder member 26 in which the rod 25 slidingly extends, that end of the lrod 25 which extends j through the inner end of the cylinder member 26 being surrounded at its projecting ioo vend by a sleeve 27 slidable in the end of the cylinder member 26 and held against outward displacement therein by a fiange 28 on this sleeve adapted to enga e the inner surface of this end of the cy inder.

The rod 25 beyond the sleeve 27 is equipped with a nut 29 held in place by a lock nut 30, the rod 25 at the opposite end of the cylinder being vrovided with a iange 31 between which an the cylinder member 26, a spacer sleeve 32 surrounding the rod 25, is positioned.

The spring head rod also comprises a coil spring 33 located in the cylinder member 26` Fig. 1, the spring 33 will be compressed, as

shown, and yieldlngly press the switch point l, 12 4against the side of the rail 13.

The switch is thus positioned to permit unobstructed travel of trains back and forth along the main track and also the entry onto the main track, of trains approaching the switch on the side track, from the right in Fig. 1, the wheels of the train operating to force the switch to open condition against f the action of the sprmg 33 which latter operates to automatically return the switch vto the position shown in Fig. 1.

4The retarding means 19 which are provided lfor effecting delayed return movement of theswitch under the action of the spring 33, to avoid slapping. of the point rail 12 against the side of the rail 13, comprise a cylinder 34 rigidly secured to the railway road bed and containing a piston 35 rigidly connected with the inner end of the rod 18.

The piston 35 in the movement of the switch out of the set position shown in Fig. 1, either b the action of a train in passing through tie switch or by the actuation of the switch-throw mechanism to position the,

switch for the deflection onto the switch track of trains approaching the switch from tithe left in Fig. 1, moves to the right in The retarding means 19 are in the nature of a dash-pot mechanism," the cylinder 35 being preferably filled with a liquid, as for example and preferably, oil. The piston 35 is apertured as for-example by providing a plurality of openings 36 therethrough closed by a valve 37 shown as in the form ofv a disk surrounding, and slidable along, a hub p0rtion 38l of the piston and backed by a coil spring 39 held in place by a nut 40 on the inner end of the rod 18. The valve 37 is free movement of the ton viewing it in Fig. 3,`whereby as the piston 35 moves to the-right in this ligure the valve 37 opens and permits of relatively X piston through the oil in the direction stated.

' To effect the desired speed of the return 33, the cylinder 34 .is shown as provided 75 with a by-pass 41 connecting. the opposite ends thereof, this by-pass being shown as in the form of a groove located in the inner wall of the cylinder and extending lengthwise thereof, the right-hand endof this groove in Fig. 3 being restricted as represented at 41. y

The return movement of the piston being dependent u on the displacementof the oila ,from the l'e t-hand side thereof in Fig.. 3 to the right-hand side thereof, and the bypass referred to. constitutinglth only passage through which the oil may be transferred, the speed of return movement of the piston is dependent upon the effective cross sectional area of the by-pass.y The purpose of the restriction 41a* of the by-pass is to cause the piston to move very slowly during the initial portion of its return movement which is an advantage particularly from the standpoint of reducing the wear on the switch.

The retarding mechanism 19 also coma position in which the point rail 14 fiatwise/engages the'main rail 10 for switching a train from the main track to the switch track, this switch-throwing pperation and the return of the switch to'normal set position being usually performed by one of the crew of the train to be switched. The throwing of the switch structure out of the normal set position, by actuating the switchthrow mechanism, may be quickly effected' because the piston of the retarding mechanism moves to the right in Fig. 3 in this movement and thus substantially without retardation.

The return of the switch mechanism to the position shown in Fig. 1V by reversely actuating the switch throw mechanism, after the train has passed through the switch, can be effected relatively slowly only by the operator due to the resistance to displacement of the oil in the cylinder 34 by the movement of the piston 35 to the left in Fig. 3,

prises a chamber 42 in communication at 43 oil in the movementof the line position shown therein.

ample by his foot,.the spring of -this check valve and tending to urge it to closed posi- In accordance with my invention I provide for the elimination of uch retardation to-the end that the operator may quickly return the switch mechanism to the normal set .position shown in Fig. 1, .this being' accomplished in the particular construction illustrated by -providing the cylinder with a second by-pass communicating at its opposite ends with the opposite ends of the cylinder, and of such ee'ctive cross sectional area that the oil at the left-hand side of the piston 35 in Fig. 3 may freely' How -therethrough to the opposite side of the piston, this by-pass being provided with means, under the control of the operator, for openingrand closing it. he by-pass referred to comprises passages 44 and 45 whichgopen into the' ends, respectively, of tlie cylinder 34 and communicate with each other at their inner ends through a passage 46 having a valve seat 47 for a check valve 48 which closes in the direction of the pressure produced on the iston from the dotted position shown in Fig. 3 to the full The valve 48 is shown as provided with a stem 49 which rises through the cylinder` 34 to a position in which it is accessible to 4 be depressed by the operator, as for extion, being represented at 50.

It will be understood from the foregoing. that the operator, preliminary to the actuation of the switch-throwing mechanism for `returning the switch to the position shown in Fig. 1, depresses the stem 49 to open the valve 48 to relieve the pressure ofthe oil lin front of the piston 35, and maintains this valve open until such switch-throwing movement has been effected, thereby ermitting of the quick return of the switch t the set posit-ion shown in Fig. 1. Upon releasing downward pressure on the valve 48 it automatically closes and re-establishes thel retarding means for normal functioning in opposition` to the spring 33 following the actuation ofthe switch by a train passing therethrough. p

. While I have illustrated and described a particularA construction embodying gy invention, I do not wish to be unders od as intending to limit,- it `thereto as various changes and alterations may be made in the construction shown and the invention embodied in other, forms pf structure, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. lln a spring switch, the combination of .its switch points, spring4 means yieldingly.

resisting movement of said points in one di- `rection, means retarding the movement of;

means by which said retarding means are rendered inactive in the moving of said points in the last referred-to direction.

2. .In a spring switch, the combination of its switch points, spring means yiel'dingly resisting movement of said points in one direction, switchthrowin'g mechanism, means'l with and comprising switch points and spring meansA yieldin ly holding one of said points against one o the rails of the'main track, switch-.throwing mechanism, means retardiiig the movement of said oints'to "normal position, and means by w ich said retarding means 'may berendered inactive in the movement of said points by said 'witch-throwing*mechanism to normal posiion. y

4. ln a spring switch, the combination of a switch structure comprising switch points and spring means yieldingly resisting move ment of said points in one direction, switchthrowing mechanism operatively engaging said switch structure for shifting the latter as a unit, means retarding-the movement of said switch points-toward the position'to which they are urged by -said spring means, and means by which said retardingmeans may be rendered inactive in thek movement of the switch points in the last-referred-to d1rection. v

r5. In a spring switch', the combination of its switch points, spring'means yieldingly resisting movement of, said pointsin one direction, dash-pot mechanism retarding the movement of said points in the opposite di- 6. In`aspring switch, the combination of l itsswitch points, spring means yieldingly resisting movement of said points in one direction, switch-throwing mechanism, dashpot mechanism for retarding the movement ofsaid points in the opposite direction, and

lmeans byI which the retarding-,eii'ect of said dash-poten said points in the movement of said points in thev last-referred-to direction'- may be avoided..

7. )in arailway track, the combination of the main track, 'a switch cooperating therewith and comprising switch points, spring means yieldmgly holding one of said points against one o the rails of the main track,

switch-throwing mechanism, ldash-pot mech- .aiii'sm retarding the movement of said points to normal position, and means bywhich'the ist - ment of said po-ints in one direction, switchthrowing mechanism operatively engaging said switch structure for shifting the latter as a unit, dash-pot mechanism retardin the movement of said switch points towar the .position to which they are ur ed by said spring means, and means `by w ich the re- 4tarding eii'ect of said dash-pot on said points in the movement of said points in the lastreferredfto direction may be avoided.

9'. In a spring switch, the combination of .its switch points, spring means yieldingly resisting movement of said points in one di.

rection, piston and cylinder mechanism for L retarding return movement of said points by said springmeans comprising a cylinder 'omember 'for fluid, a piston member in said cylinder member, said membersbemg rela# tively movable and one thereof operatively connected/with said points, said mechanism containingra passage forvthe luid communicating with said cylinder member at oppof site sides of said piston member and through which the fiuid becomes displaced by the r e turn movement of the movable one of said members, and means operative to permit of relatively free displacement of the fluid by the movement of the movable one of said l members in the movement of said points `toward the'position to which they are urged by said spring means.

10. In a spring switch, the combination of its-switch points, spring means yieldmgly v resisting movement of saidpoints in one di-` rection, piston and .cylinder -mechanism for retarding return movement of said points byY said spring means comprising a cylinder for fluid, a piston movable in said cylinder and operatively connected with said ,oints, said mechanism containing a assage or the {iu-id communicating with sai cylinder at op site sides of -said piston and lthrough w ich the Huid becomes displaced by thewreturn movement of said piston, and means operative to permit of relativelylfree displacement of the fluid by said pistonin the movement of said points toward osition to which they are urged by said spring means. A

11. In a spring switch, the combination of its switch points, spring means yieldingly resisting movement of said points in one direction, piston and cylinder mechanism for `retarding returitmovement of said points by lsaid spring means comprising a stationary cylinder for fluid, a piston movable in said cylinder and operativelyl connected with said I points, said mechanism containing a passage for the Huid communicating with said cylinder at opposite sides of said piston and jthrough which the fluid becomes displaced by the return movement of said piston, and means operative to permit of relatively free displacement of the fluid by said piston in the movement of said points toward the position to which they are urged by said spring means.

12. In a spring switch, the combination of its switch points, s ring means yieldingly'- resisting movement o said points in one direction, switch-throwing mechanism opera- 'tively connected with said points, piston and cylinder mechanism for retarding ret rn movement of said points by said-spring c mprising a cylinder member for iiuid, a piston member in said cylinder member, said meinbers being relatively movable and one thereof operatively. connected with said oints, said mechanism containing a passage or the fluid communicating with said cylinder at opposite sides of said piston and through which the iuid becomes displacedby the re-4 turn movement of the moviable one of said members, and means operative to permit of relatively free displacement of the iuid by` the movable one o'f said members inthe movement of said points toward the position to which they are urged by said ,spring means. Y

13. In a spring switch, ythe combination of its switch points, sprin means yieldingly resisting movement of sai points in one direction, switch-throwing mechanism opera-` tively connected withsaid points, piston and cylinder mechanism for retardin return movement of said points b sai spring means comprising a cylinder or fluid, a piston movable in said cylinder and operatively connected with said points, said mechanism containing a passage for the Huid communicating with said cylinder at posite sides of said pistbn and through wgcph the Huid becomes displaced by the return movement of said piston, and means operative to permit lOl lll

of relatively free displacement of the Huid y by said piston in the movement of said points toward the osition to which they are urged by said spring means. f

14. In a spring switch, the` combinationof its switch points, spring means yieldingly resistingmovement of said points in one directi'n, switch-throwing mechanism operatively connected with said points. piston and cylinder mechanism` -for retarding return movement of said points by said spring means comprising a stationa cylinder for fluid, a piston movable in sai cylinder and operatively connected with said points, saidn mechanism containing a passage for the fluid communicating with said cylinder at opposite'sides of said piston and through which the fluid becomes displaced by the return movement of said piston, and means sition to operative'to permit of relatively free displacement of the -iluid by said piston in the moveme'pt of said points toward the pohich they are urged by lsaid spring. means.

' 15, In a spring switch, the combination of a switch structure comprising switch points and spring means yieldingly resisting movement of said points in one direction, switchthrowing mechanism operatively connected with said switch structure for movingthe latter as a unit, piston and cylinder mechanism for retarding return movement ofv `sa1d spring means comprlslng a cylinder member for fluid, a piston member in said cyllnder member, sald members being-relatively movable and one thereof operativelyv connected with said points, said mechanism containing a passage for the fluld communicating with said cylinder at opposite sides vof said piston and through which the fluid becomes displaced by the return movement, of the movable one of sald members, and means operative lto permit relativly free displacement of the' fluid by the movableone of said members in the movement ofy said switch structure toward the position to which said points. are urged by said spring means.

16. In a spring switch, thecombination of its switch points, sprino'` means yieldingly resisting movement of said points in one direction, piston and cylinder A mechanism for retarding return movement of said points by said spring means comprising a cylinder member for fluid, a piston member in saidvcylinder, said members being relatively movable and one thereof pperatively connected with said points, said cylinder convtaining a passage Ifor the iuid communicating with the opposite ends thereof at opposite sides of said piston and through which the uid becomes displaced by the return movement of the movable one of said members, and means operative to permit of relatively ree displacement xof the fluid by the movable one of said members in the. move- .ment of said points toward the position 'to which they are urgedv by said spring means.

17. In a'spring switch, the comlbination of its switch points, spring means yieldingly resisting movement of said oints in one direction, lpiston and cylinder mechanism for retardin return`l movement of. said points by 4said spring means comprismg a cylinder member for fluid, a piston member in said cylinder, said members being ,relatively movable and one thereof o eratively connected with said points, said cylinder containing `a passage for the fluid communicat-A means yieldingly resisting movement 0 said points in V one direction, means retarding movement'of said points in the oppositev direction, andY means by which said retarding means may be rendered inactive in the moving of said points in the last-referred-to'direction comprising a valve lwhich is in closed' position during the operation of said retardingv means. f

19. In aspring switch, thecombination of its switchpoints, spring meansyieldingly resisting movement of the points in one direction, means retarding the movement of said points in the'opposite direction, switchthrowing means, and means whereby the poi/nts, after movement by' said lswitchthrowing means out of normal set position, may be returned by said switch-throwing means to normal position vwithout retard by said-retarding means.

f 20. In a spring switch, the combination of a switchstructure comprising switch points and spring means yieldingly resisting-movement of said points'in one direcy tion, switch-throwing mechanism o eratively ,engaging said switch structure or shift- .Y

ing the latter as a'unit, means retardingthe movement of said switch points toward the position'to which' they are urged by said .spring means, and means whereby the switch structure,` after movement byv said switch-throwlg means out of normal set p'osition, may be returned by said switchthrowing means to normal position Without' retard by said retarding means.

i SAMUEL C1.v irrnnrismrrr.v 

